Monday, February 24, 2025

Russian Protests Don’t Get Much Braver Than This [Video]

Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor at Russia's state-controlled Channel 1, risked it all to let her fellow citizens know they are being lied to.

[imagesource: YouTube / The Guardian]

We all know what happens to those who protest and push back against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Whether it’s falling out of a window or being poisoned, Vlad has made it clear that any form of speaking out against him means you will “kick the bucket” (his words).

Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor at Russia’s state-controlled Channel 1, knows that full well and still chose to interrupt a live evening broadcast to let her fellow citizens know they are being lied to.

She appeared suddenly during the broadcast holding a sign reading “no war, stop the war, don’t believe the propaganda, they are lying to you here” and shouted “no to war! Stop the war!” before the broadcast cut to a prerecorded segment:

It’s reported that Ovsyannikova has since been detained, which she would have known would happen.

That’s why she prerecorded and released a video before she stormed the live news broadcast, saying she was ashamed to work for an organisation spreading Kremlin propaganda.

Depending on who you ask, her whereabouts at this time differs.

Below via The Guardian:

OVD-Info said that Ovsyannikova was arrested shortly after her protest and was being held at the Ostankino television centre. Pavel Chikov, head of of the Agora human rights group, later said Ovsyannikova had been arrested and taken to a Moscow police station.

She could face prison time under a newly introduced Russian legislation that criminalised spreading so-called “fake news” about the Russian military. Those found guilty under the law could face up to 15 years in jail.

Ovsyannikova could also face legal consequences for encouraging “civil unrest” by telling Russians to protest.

15 years in jail and whatever hell Putin can subject her to.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Ovsyannikova’s bravery during a video address last night.

Online, there are multiple claims that she cannot be located:

Hopefully, there is some confirmation in the coming hours and days and Ovsyannikova receives the legal assistance she will so desperately need.

[source:guardian]